(INDIANAPOLIS) – Two more proposals for reducing violent crime in Indianapolis are headed for Governor Holcomb’s desk.
Legislators voted to create a half-million-dollar grant fund for Marion County crimefighting efforts. Greenfield Senator Mike Crider (R), whose district includes Indy’s eastside, says the fund gives IMPD or other agencies a way to cover overtime pay to pour officers into violent crime hotspots without diverting resources from other parts of the county.
Crider says the bill doesn’t include any new money — that’ll be a subject for the next state budget. For now, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, which would oversee the fund, can repurpose money it already has, or act as a pass-through for grants from other sources.
The bill authorizes a five-year tryout period for the fund. Crider says he hopes the fund will show results in that time and spur legislators to approve similar funds for other cities.
The bill also makes it easier for law enforcement agencies in Indy to send each other reinforcements. It creates a 17-member board to approve formal cooperation agreements among nine Marion County police agencies, plus security departments at IU Health, the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and Indianapolis Downtown Inc.
The two proposals are part of a five-bill anti-crime package introduced by Indianapolis Senate Republicans, though legislators rolled them into a single bill. A bill creating formal standards for electronic supervision of released jail inmates has already gone to Holcomb. Legislators are still trying to reach agreement on a bill setting limits on bail charities.
The grant fund bill passed the House and Senate with just two no votes, from Representatives Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) and Curt Nisly (R-Milford).
